H.R. 3151

SHIPS for America Act of 2025

Sponsor: Trent Kelly

145 cosponsors
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I Oversight and accountability

II Maritime Security Trust Fund

III Sealift capability

IV Vessels of the United States in international commerce

A Strategic sealift programs

B Cargo preference

C Regulatory reform

Sec. 433. Amendments to Shipowners' Limitation of Liability Act of 1851

(a) In general. Section 30523 of title 46, United States Code, is amended—

(1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:

Text this section adds to the law

(a) Limit of owner liability

(1) In general. Except as provided in section 30524 of this title, the liability of—

(A) the owner of a vessel of the United States for any claim, debt, or liability described in subsection (b) shall not exceed the value of the vessel and pending freight; and

(B) the owner of a foreign vessel for any claim, debt, or liability described in subsection (b) shall not exceed the amount that is 5 times the value of the vessel and pending freight.

(2) Multiple owners. If a vessel has more than one owner, the proportionate share of the liability under paragraph (1) of any one such owner shall not exceed that owner’s proportionate interest in the vessel and pending freight.

; and

(2) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:

Text this section adds to the law

(c) Claims not subject to limitation. Subsection (a) does not apply to—

(1) a claim for wages; or

(2) with respect to the liability of an owner of a foreign vessel, a claim, debt, or liability arising from personal injury or wrongful death of a person who was not a crewmember or passenger of the foreign vessel at the time the injury (including fatal injury, if applicable) occurred.

(b) Amendment to cessation of certain actions. Section 30529(c) of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking the matter in question and inserting a matter subject to consideration for limitation under section 30523 or section 30524.

(c) Effective date. The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) shall apply to any liability subject to section 30523(a) of title 46, United States Code, that arises on or after the date of enactment of this Act.

V Shipbuilding

A Shipbuilding financial incentives

B Department of Defense Programs

C Shipbuilding innovation and infrastructure

VI Workforce Development

A Workforce incentives

B Workforce Pipeline

C United States Merchant Marine Academy and State maritime academies

D Maritime Credentialing Modernization

VII Amendments to the internal revenue code of 1986